System and method for providing network information service using CID-type messages

ABSTRACT

A network-based announcement and message delivery service for providing a landline customer with information of interest such as weather, financial market data, time/temperature, sporting event results, etc. The information is provided to the subscriber by way of information displayed on a caller-ID display and/or by way of talking caller-ID.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/270,890 filed Mar. 15, 1999 entitled System and Method forProviding Network Information Service filed by Pelletier et al.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to telecommunicationsservices and, in particular, providing audio information through thetelephone system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Automated and quick access to various types of data is anincreasingly important requirement in today's society. In particular,with the increasing popularity of wireless telephones and pagers,consumers have generally instant access to a wealth of information,quite literally at their fingertips. Furthermore, these same consumersdemand ease of access with a minimum of effort. As such, services thatprovide simplified access to a variety of information are available.

[0004] Among the best known of such information services, is the simpleconsumer dial-up line. In such a service, a caller dials a particularnumber to access a database of information pertaining to potentiallyhundreds of different topics, such as finance, sports, soap operas,health topics, etc. Typically, the database includes a front end muchlike an interactive voice response (IVR) system, wherein the caller isgreeted by a message welcoming the caller to the service. Afterproviding some brief instructions, the caller is asked to enter eitherthe number for the exact topic in which the caller is interested, or toenter a general subject number from where the caller is informed of thevarious topics under that general heading. The caller may then selectfrom one of the presented topics. After selecting the topic, theinformation system provides current information to the caller regardingthe particular information the caller is seeking. Unfortunately, thecaller is required to dial up the service each time newly updated ordifferent information is desired. Furthermore, the caller is, in manycases, required to leaf through a telephone book in an attempt to findthe number for the information the caller is seeking. Depending upon thenumber of topics offered, the listing can be extremely large andcumbersome to review.

[0005] Recently, pagers and paging service providers also have begunoffering information services to their subscribers. In particular, thesubscriber purchases or leases an alphanumeric pager and enters into acontract with a service provider. The pager, in addition to performingstandard paging functions, is also able to provide various types ofinformation, such as sports scores, stock market information and thelike, depending on the subscribers requirements. The information isprovided at specified intervals or upon a change in status of therequested information, such as the score of a basketball game changing.Typically, like any other time the pager receives a message, thesubscriber's pager beeps, vibrates or lights. The message, in the aboveexample, instead of being the telephone number and/or a message from acaller, is the information desired by the subscriber and provided by theservice provider. In certain instances, however, a person may beunwilling to carry a pager or spend additional money in purchasing orleasing a pager. In particular, if a person is interested in receivinginformation only when at home, subscribing to pager services may not beworthwhile.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a system that provides aninformation service that enables a subscriber to quickly obtain desiredinformation without requiring that the subscriber memorize numbers orspend additional money on hardware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims. However, other features of the invention will become moreapparent, and the invention will be best understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of operating anetwork information service in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a flow chart diagram illustrating operation of theinformation providing system after receiving a first predeterminedinterrupt;

[0010]FIG. 3 shows a flow chart diagram illustrating operation of theinformation providing system after receiving a second predeterminedinterrupt.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunications systemin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 5 shows an event diagram depicting caller indication of thenetwork information service available from the system of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 6 shows a flow chart diagram illustrating the operation ofthe originating service switching point (SSP) of FIG. 2 in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 7 shows a flow chart diagram illustrating a method ofoperation the originating service control point (SCP) of FIG. 2 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 8 shows a flow chart diagram illustrating a method ofoperating the service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) of FIG. 2 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016]FIG. 9, is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunicationssystem having a caller identification (CID) unit in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a network-based announcement andmessage delivery service that provides a landline customer withup-to-date information of interest. Subscribers are able to obtaininformation such as weather, financial market data, time/temperature,sporting event results, etc. A particular advantage of such a system isthat a subscriber does not need to initiate a telephone call to obtainthe information.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an advancedintelligent network (AIN) is configured to provide a selectively enabledinformation service for delivering information to a party who hassubscribed to the service, but without requiring the subscriber toinitiate a call. The network information service provides information toa subscriber who simply lifts the handset of the telephone. Thesubscriber instead of hearing a dial tone hears the information in theform of streaming audio.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, information is providedto the subscriber by way of information displayed on a caller-ID displayand/or information provided by way of talking caller-ID.

[0020] Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, thereis illustrated a flow chart diagram describing the operation of anetwork information service in a telecommunications system in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step 20, asubscriber lifts the handset of the telephone off its cradle and entersan off-hook condition. In step 22, while the telephone is off-hook, acheck is made to determine whether the off-hook party has subscribed tothe service and is included in the subscriber list in the SCP 18. If theoff-hook party is not identified in the list, then in step 24 the partyreceives a dial tone and the party may proceed to complete the call asnormal. Once the subscriber has been identified as being present on thesubscriber list (step 22) a check is made as to whether the subscriber'saccount is current (e.g., paid up) in step 26. If not, then in step 28 amessage is played indicating that the service is unavailable.Subsequently, the system returns to step 24 and a dial tone isoptionally provided. If, however, the subscriber is authorized toreceive the service, an optional timer is started in step 30 andstreaming audio information is provided instead of a dial tone in step32.

[0021] After a predetermined amount of time, or upon timer expiry instep 34, a message in the dial tone requests the press of apredetermined key to enable the system to continue providing informationin step 36. If the required key is not pressed within a certain time instep 38, then the system returns to step 24 and provides a dial tone andnormal call processing occurs. In a particular aspect of the presentembodiment, the timer and thus recognition of timer expiry may beeliminated so that the subscriber may listen to the information as longas desired without interruption. To place a call, or dial a commandstring like *69 for automatic call back, the subscriber at any timesimply presses the appropriate key and breaks the dial tone, therebyshutting the streaming audio off. After the number or command is dialed,the call is processed.

[0022] To ensure compatibility with certain facsimile machines, modemsand other telecommunications devices that operate using dial tonedetection, a feature code, such as *90, is provided to disable thestreaming audio. Typically, if such telecommunications devices do notdetect a dial tone immediately upon going off-hook, any dialing processis aborted. To prevent such an occurrence, *90 is manually dialed by thesubscriber using a telephone to disable the streaming audio and enabledial tone prior to using the telecommunications device. After finishinguse of the modem or facsimile machine, the subscriber reactivates thestreaming audio dial tone by dialing *91. Alternatively, the streamingaudio may automatically default into active mode once the device goeson-hook. In certain instances, a number of telecommunications devicesare available that do not use, or optionally disable, dial tonedetection before dialing. In such cases, the device dials thedestination telephone number without first listening for a dial tone.The call then proceeds similar to any other data call.

[0023] In another aspect of the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 2,the system is shown wherein the press of the asterisk or “star” key, orany other predetermined feature invoking key, interrupts the dial toneinformation stream to enable the subscriber to request provision ofdifferent information. For example, in step 40, when the subscriberpresses the star key, the provided information stream is interrupted andthe SN/IP 20 begins monitoring the line for additional DTMF tones instep 42. If no tones are entered within a predetermined time, thesubscriber will receive a message in step 44. Alternatively, if the starkey is not followed by an entry, a watchdog timer in the SN/IP 20 timesout and sends a message to the SCP 18. The SCP 18 then causes a messageto be sent from the SCP 18 to the SSP 14 instructing the SSP 14 toprovide a pertinent message to the subscriber. Alternatively, dependingon the carrier's default preference, the previous information cancontinue streaming. It is to be noted that the SN/IP 20 may provide themessages to the SSP 14 directly.

[0024] If tones are entered, the SN/IP 20 decodes any received DTMFtones entered by the subscriber to determine in step 46 whether thenumber following the star is a number that corresponds to a request fordifferent information or is a reserved feature number, such as *70 (forturning off call waiting). If the SN/IP 20, in step 46 determines thatthe number following the star is a reserved feature number, the SN/IP 20informs the SCP 18, which then sends a message to the SSP 14 instructingthe SSP 14 to process the entered feature and proceed with regular callprocessing in step 50. However, if the star key is followed by aninformation service number, the SN/IP 20 accesses its database andbegins streaming the information that is newly requested by thesubscriber in step 48. The system then returns to step 30 (FIG. 1). TheSN/IP 20 continues to provide the requested information until thesubscriber hangs up the phone, makes a call or interrupts to enter afeature number or request still other information.

[0025] In another aspect of the present embodiment, the above describedaspects of the invention may be combined. In such a combination, thesystem monitors the content being provided to the subscriber to providegreatly enhanced features. For example, the dial tone may be streamingaudio of sports scores for on-going games. Upon hearing a score ofinterest, the subscriber presses a feature code, such as *99, to accessthe information service followed by the pound (#) key, therebyautomatically selecting the live audio broadcast of the game in process.Similarly, in a more commercial example, the dial tone information maysponsored by advertisers who stream information regarding theirproducts. As such, for example, if the subscriber wishes to purchase theproduct being advertised, pressing *99# provides the subscriber with anexpanded description of the advertised product with an offer to have theretailer call the subscriber or directly connect the subscriber to theretailer. Thus, it can be seen that the system monitors theinformational audio being sent to the subscriber before *99 is pressedand provides a shortcut to reach related information.

[0026] In another example, the streaming audio dial tone is used toalert users to waiting voice mail. Again, when the subscriber hears amessage indicating that there is waiting voice mail, the subscriberdials *99# and is directly connected to the voice mail system. The voicemail example may also be used in applications where E-Mail may beaccessed using the telephone. In a similar application, subscribers arenotified of missed calls through the dial tone information. For example,subscribers hear the telephone number of a missed call and the time thecall was received. Automatic call back to the missed number is theneffected by dialing *99#. A particular advantage of such a system isthat the subscriber is explicitly made aware of any missed calls alongwith caller information. In contrast, existing caller-ID devices listall calls that are placed to the subscriber's telephone, whetheranswered or not. In such a situation, if the caller-ID memory was notcleared, the subscriber must cycle through each of the names and timesto determine if and when a call was missed. Similarly, automatic callback (usually activated by pressing *69) requires the subscriber toactually engage the service to determine the telephone number of thelast caller. The subscriber must then determine whether the last callwas indeed a missed call.

[0027] In another aspect of the above embodiment, *99 enables thesubscriber to access an audio menu to select information of interest.From the menu the subscriber then selects, through the press of one ormore additional keys, the type of information desired in the dial toneinformation stream. Similarly, the menu may also be programmed toinclude a number of pay-per-use services, such as the automaticcall-back service described above. The advantage in such a system isthat the audio information service is accessed by simply dialing threecharacters rather than a seven or ten digit number and is also capableof talking to network switching and control entities.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, the system is shown in an interrupt statebased on the dialing of a numeric number, such as a telephone number. Inparticular, if a non-symbol key is pressed in step 52, such as a numericdigit key for dialing a telephone number, the SSP 14 immediately takescontrol of the system and proceeds with the call in step 53 as if thecall had been dialed normally. Alternatively, if a non-symbol key ispressed, the SN/IP 20 recognizes that numeric digits are being enteredand notifies the SCP 18. A message is then sent from the SCP 18 to theSSP 14, which then instructs the SSP 14 to provide standard callprocessing.

[0029] Although both methods of interrupting the audio information dialtone mentioned above provide fairly similar levels of service, callprocessing is possibly slightly faster in the first scenario. In thefirst example, the SSP 14 and the SN/IP 20 operate in a bridged modewherein both the SSP 14 and the SN/IP 20 monitor the line for DTMFentries. Thus, if a numeric entry is made, such as when the subscriberis dialing an actual telephone number, the SSP 14 directly handles suchsituations and processing of the telephone call is faster. A particularuse of the bridged mode is to enable faster call processing of emergencynumbers, such as 911. Optionally, the SN/IP 20 is also provided withvoice recognition capabilities such that the audio data stream isinterrupted based on a predetermined voice command.

[0030] Turning now to FIG. 4, the telephone network used in the presentinvention is shown. The network uses common channel signaling (CCS) forcommunication between the SSPs 12, 14 to the STP 16 and from the STP 16to the SCP 18. CCS is an out-of-band signaling method that utilizespacket switched network to allow messages to be transported on adedicated high-speed data network, separate from the voice or datacommunications path. The public switched network utilizes the CCSnetwork, using signaling systems 7 (SS7) protocol to send messagesbetween network elements regarding call set-up, line status, calleridentification, and other network data, including AIN inquiries. IPinformation is delivered on the circuit established as a result of theSS7 signaling and network processing of that signaling.

[0031] The use of SS7 on the CCS network by the public switched networkhas become nearly universal for signaling between network elements;thereby supplanting circuit associated signaling. In typical operation,once a user establishes a connection with their central office, thecentral office's SSP functionality packages the signaling informationrelated to the call (e.g., the dial telephone number) into an SS7message, and sends the message on the CCS network to the STP 16. The STP16 routes the message to the appropriate SSPs, which negotiate theestablishment of a circuit between the central offices, and theconnection to the distant party is made.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the system 10 includes an originating SSP 14,a terminating SSP 12, a STP 16, a SCP 18, a SN/IP 20, caller premisesequipment (CPE), such as called telephone station 13 and callingtelephone station 15. Intelligent network system components, such as AINcomponents, suitable for implementing the present invention arecommercially available from several vendors and are known to thoseskilled in the art.

[0033] Each of the SSPs 12, 14 include an AIN switch that routes calls,recognizes and responds to triggers, generates queries to obtain callinformation and response to returned call information. The functionalityof the SSPs 12, 14, as disclosed herein, is implemented using any AINcompatible switch such as a 5ESS switch, with generic 5E11 update orbetter, available from Lucent Technologies, Inc. The SSP 14 connects thecalled telephone station 13 with the SSP 12 to enable a call to beplaced between called telephone station 13 and calling telephone station15. The SSPs 12, 14 communicate with the STP 16 and the SCP 18 using theSS7 protocol as described above.

[0034] As is known in the art, the STP 16 is a packet switch used toroute signalling messages within the network. In particular, the STP 16includes a network element that transfers signalling communications inresponse to signalling protocols such as SS7 or other such signallingprotocols. The STP 16 transfers queries from the SSPs 12, 14 to the SCP18 and transfers responses to the queries from the SCP 18 to the SSPs12, 14.

[0035] The CPE 13, 15 generally includes analog telephone sets, asmentioned above. In addition, the CPE 13, 15 may also include PCS, ISDNor any other form of communication station known.

[0036] The SCP 18 includes an AIN element that stores call informationand receives and responds to queries. The SCP 18 is any commerciallyavailable AIN node which contains the service logic and associated datasupport to execute the required customer services. For example, the SCP18 may be a Model I or Model II, available from Lucent Technologies,Inc. The SCP 18 stores call control information in an internal databaseand accesses the stored call control information as needed. The SCP 18then forwards the call control information to the SSPs 12, 14. The SCP18 receives queries generated by the SSPs 12, 14 and responds to thequeries by performing database searches to locate the requested callcontrol information.

[0037] The SN/IP 20 is a computer or a communication server linked by anopen interface to the originating SSP 14. In the example shown, the SSP14 and the SN/IP 20 communicate by the ISDN network connection. The ISDNconnection is implemented using either ISDN-BRI (basic rate interface)or ISDN-PRI (primary rate interface) protocols that are known in theart. The SN/IP 20 contains and manages resources required to offerservices and service enhancements to network users. The SN/IP 20 isconnected to a TCP/IP interface 22, a radio frequency (RF) interface 24and a database 26. Generally, the SN/IP 20 is used to obtain informationthrough a variety of sources. Such sources include, among others,information obtained through the RF interface 24 and/or informationobtained through the TCP/IP connection 22 via the internet. Theinformation once received by the SN/IP 20 is saved in the database 26from where information is sent through to subscribers. The RF interface24 is used to receive generally the same type of information transmittedby paging services to their subscribers. A particular advantage of thepresent invention is the ability to provide dynamic information to thesubscriber. Although prior art telephone systems are known to provideprerecorded static information, the present invention enables the systemto receive current information, such as sports scores and stock marketinformation, update its databases and provide the information in adynamic manner to the subscriber. Accordingly, the subscriber receivesthe latest information and is kept abreast of any changes in theinformation. The SN/IP 20 optionally includes text-to-speechcapabilities for converting text-based information received through theinternet into an audio format suitable for streaming as audio throughthe telephone connection.

[0038] In an AIN-type system, such as shown in FIG. 4, certain callsreceive specialized AIN-type processing under control of data filesstored in the SCP 18. In such a network, the SSP 14-type local officesof the public telephone network detect a call-processing event known asan AIN trigger. For ordinary telephone service calls, there would be noevent to trigger AIN processing and the local and toll office switcheswould function normally and process such calls as discussed above,without referring to the SCP 18 for instructions. However, a SSP in acentral office which detects a trigger suspends all call processing,compiles a formatted call data message and forwards that message via theCCS network and the STP 16 to the SCP 18. If needed, the SCP 18instructs the central office to obtain and forward additionalinformation. Once the SCP 18 receives sufficient information about thecall, the SCP 18 accesses its stored data tables to translate thereceived message data into a call control message and returns the callcontrol message to the office of the network via the CCS network and theSTP 16. The SSP 14 then uses the call control message to complete theparticular call to the network. A particular advantage of the presentinvention is the ability of the SN/IP 20 to provide communicationservices on the subscriber's telephone line and to transfer controlquickly to an SSP 74 that controls routing of calls for the line if thesubscriber wishes to make a telephone call.

[0039] The SSP-type switches 12, 14 recognizes a variety of events astriggers for activating a query and a response-type AIN interaction withthe SCP 18. In particular, the originating SSP 14 uses an off-hookimmediate trigger to signal the SN/IP 20. In addition, the SSP 12provides announcements to subscribers depending on particular problemsor scenarios that are encountered. A particular embodiment of theinvention uses an off-hook immediate trigger to initiate AIN-type callprocessing. Specifically, when a person picks up the handset of atelephone connected to one of the lines of the group, the SSP 14connected to that line accesses its translation tables and recognizesthat the line is subject to AIN processing. Upon determining that asubscriber is subscribed to the information service, the SSP 14 providesinformation in a constant audio stream instead of the dial tone. Thesubscription list is updated to include or delete a subscriber's entryas required.

[0040]FIG. 5 shows an event diagram depicting the indication of messagedelivery service in the AIN system of FIG. 4. Initially, in step 100,the subscriber lifts the handset and goes off hook. An off-hookimmediate trigger is received by the originating SSP 14 in step 102,which then sends a query to the SCP 18 in step 104. As mentioned above,such communication uses conventional SS7 protocol. In response to thequery, the SCP 18 in step 106 screens the call to determine whether theparty is a subscriber to the information service. If it is determined instep 108 that the subscriber is authorized to receive the selectedservice, the SCP 18 sends an analyzed route message to the SSP 14 instep 112, wherein the analyzed routed message includes a called numberparameter which is then sent to the number of the SN/IP 20. If thesubscriber is not authorized, then in step 110, the SCP 18 sends amessage to the SSP 14 to provide dial-tone to the subscriber. In step114, upon receiving the analyzed-route message, the SSP 14 connects thesubscriber to the SN/IP 20. The SN/IP 20 then, in step 116 provides theinformation to the subscriber in the form of streaming audio informationthat is provided to the subscriber instead of dial tone. The subscriberis able to initiate and complete a telephone call at any time by simplydialing the appropriate number of the party that the subscriber wishesto contact, as further described below.

[0041]FIG. 6 shows a flow chart diagram of a method of operating theoriginating SSP 14 shown in FIG. 4. In step 54, the SSP 14 detects anoff-hook condition generated by the caller CPE 15, such as a telephone.The SSP 14 does not provide a dial tone at that time. Instead, the SSP14 in step 56 launches a query to the SCP 18. The query contains asubstantial amount of information, including data identifying theoff-hook line. The SCP 18 uses the line identification data tocross-reference the subscriber's data file within the SCP 18 database.Based on the obtained results, the SCP 18 determines what action to takenext and then provides a response to the SSP 14 in step 58. If the SSP14 responds with a continue message, the information service is notinvoked and the SSP 14 provides the subscriber with dial tone in step60. Call processing then proceeds as normal. However, if the SCP 18transmits a “Send to Resource” message to the SSP 14 in step 62, theinformation service is offered to the subscriber. In particular, the SSP14 upon receiving the message, attempts to connect the caller to theSN/IP 20 in step 64, as described further below.

[0042]FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of operating theoriginating SCP 18 shown in FIG. 4. The primary function of the SCP 18is to control the service and to screen calls by comparing caller/calledparty information to predetermined criteria. To provide the informationdelivery service, the SCP 18 communicates with the SSP 14 and providescontrol information to enable the subscribed information to be providedto the subscriber as information audio instead of dial tone. Inparticular, the operation of the SCP 18 commences upon the SSP 14receiving an off-hook immediate trigger. In step 66, the SSP 14 queriesthe SCP 18 to determine whether the subscriber is present on thesubscriber list in the SCP 18 in step 68. As described above, thesubscriber list is a database file containing information foridentifying parties that have subscribed to the messaging service todeliver caller information to them. After accessing the subscriber list,the SCP 18 determines in step 70 whether the subscriber is authorized toreceive the information delivery service. If so, then in step 72, theSCP 18 sends a message to the SSP 14 instructing it to make a connectionto the SN/IP 20. Accordingly, the SN/IP 20 starts or continues toprovide the subscribed information to the subscriber. If the subscriberis not authorized, then in step 74, the SCP instructs the SSP to providedial tone for standard call processing.

[0043]FIG. 8 depicts a flow chart illustrating a method of operating theSN/IP to provide the information delivery service as a dial tone stream.Under the delivery service, the SN/IP 20 commences the operation whenthe SSP 14 connects the subscriber thereto in step 76. The SN/IP 20accesses its database in step 78 and gathers the information to whichthe subscriber is subscribed. In step 80, the SN/IP 20 starts aninternal watchdog timer and begins to provide the information to thesubscriber in the form of streaming audio information instead of dialtone. The information is provided for a predetermined amount of timeuntil the timer expires, as determined in step 82. Upon expiration ofthe timer, the SN/IP 20 sends a message to the SCP 18 in step 84. TheSCP 18 then sends a message to the SSP 14 instructing the SSP 14 toprovide a message to the subscriber indicating that a particularcontinue key, such as the “pound” key, must be pressed if theinformation stream is to continue. In step 86, the SN/IP 20 monitors theline for dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) tones corresponding to thecontinue key. If the continue key is not pressed within a predeterminedamount of time in step 88, the SN/IP 20 sends a message to the SCP 18 instep 90, which in turn sends a message to the SSP 14. As a result, theSSP 14 either plays a message indicating that the provided informationstream has been terminated or provides a dial tone to enable regularcall processing. However, if the continue key is pressed in a timelymanner, the streaming dial tone information continues to be provided instep 92.

[0044] It is to be noted that although an AIN based solution isdiscussed in the above exemplary embodiments, the present invention mayalso be implemented using a streaming dial tone generator. For example,known systems provide dial tone by having the line card connect to adial tone generator that plays dial tone over the line. As discussedabove, when the line card detects a user keypress, it disconnects thedial tone generator and connects to a device that collects touchtonedigits. In an alternate embodiment of the present system, the dial tonegenerator could be replaced by a streaming audio dial tone generator ateach CO that would provide streaming audio instead of the normal dialtone.

[0045] In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 9, thesystem is shown in operation using a caller identification (CID) unit.In particular, the subscriber is able to receive information by way ofthe display on a CID unit 17. For example, information such as stockquotes, sports scores and the like is displayed on the CID unit 17 wherecaller information, such as name and phone number, normally can be seen.Optionally, the CID unit 17 may be a speech synthesizer unit to audiblyoutput the received subscriber information.

[0046] Typically, caller-ID systems operate by providing callerinformation to the call receiving party on a display. CID information istypically provided as a 1200 baud, 7 data bits and 1 stop bit datastream that is transmitted to the receiving party after the first ring,but before the second ring. Basic CID generally supplies only thecalling number and date whereas enhanced CID further provides directoryinformation such as the name of the caller. Typically, CID informationis displayed as three lines of fifteen characters.

[0047] In the present embodiment, because the subscriber never takes thephone off-hook, no trigger is sent or processed by the SSP 14. However,depending on the type of service provided, information is provided tothe subscriber, for example, at predetermined intervals (e.g., everyhour), as an alarm (e.g., information at 7:00 o'clock in the morning) oreach time a change in the subscribers information is detected (e.g. theChicago Cubs score a run). The information is provided on thesubscriber's CID unit 17 display. In addition, because the telephonerings as well, the subscriber is alerted that information is availablefor viewing on the CID unit 17.

[0048] In operation, the SN/IP 20 monitors the data received from theTCP/IP connection 22 and the RF connection 24 and stores any newlyreceived information in its database 26. Upon determining that newinformation is received that is intended to be sent to the subscriber,the SN/IP sends the SCP 18 a message indicating that the SN/IP 20 hasinformation required by the subscriber. In response, the SCP 18 sends amessage instructing the SSP 14 to initiate a call to the subscriber. TheSCP 18 may be configured such that the message to the SSP 14 is sentonly in accordance with the preferences expressed by the caller.

[0049] The SSP 14, upon receiving instructions from the SCP 18, thenconnects the SN/IP 20 to the subscriber line. Instead of sending theSN/IP 20 extension number to the subscriber for display on the CID unit17, the SN/IP 20 instead provides the information requested by thesubscriber. The subscriber telephone then rings as if a call were beingreceived such that the requested information is passed to the CID unit17 in-between the rings as described above. It is to be noted thatbefore sending the information, the SN/IP 20 formats the raw data suchthat the information is a valid CID data stream and that the informationintended for the subscriber is able to be displayed legibly on the CIDunit 17.

[0050] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teaching. Thus, it is to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise then is specifically above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-usable storage media storing asoftware routine to enable a computer-based telecommunications system toperform the following functions: to use a service node/intelligentperipheral (SN/IP) of the system to monitor incoming data to determinewhether the incoming data is subscriber data, to use the SN/IP to send amessage to a switching control point (SCP) of the system indicating thepresence of subscriber data, to use the SCP to send a message to aservice switching point (SSP) of the system that instructs a connectionto the subscriber, to use the SSP to establish the connection, and touse the SN/IP to format the subscriber data into a CID (calleridentification) format and deliver the formatted subscriber data toCID-enabled customer premises equipment (CPE) of the subscriber.
 2. Thestorage media of claim 1, wherein the routine is performed by more thanone node of the system.
 3. The media of claim 1, wherein the CID-formatis an 8-bit word data stream.
 4. The media of claim 1, wherein thesystem transmits the information to the CPE at predetermined intervals.5. The media of claim 1, wherein the system transmits the information tothe CPE in response to a change in the information.
 6. The media ofclaim 1, wherein the system transmits the information to the CPE afterat least one ring of the CPE.
 7. The media of claim 1, wherein theroutine further enables the system to monitor for an interrupt key fromthe CPE.
 8. The media of claim 1, wherein the SN/IP monitors incomingdata for voice mail of the subscriber.
 9. The media of claim 1, whereinthe SN/IP monitors incoming data for email of the subscriber.
 10. Themedia of claim 1, wherein the SN/IP monitors for missed calls to thesubscriber.
 11. The media of claim 1, wherein the routine furtherenables the CPE to display a menu of information choices.
 12. The mediaof claim 1, wherein the CID format follows a common channel signaling(CCS) protocol.
 13. The media of claim 1, wherein the SN/IP delivers thedata to the CPE via the SCP and SSP.
 14. The media of claim 1, whereinthe routine further enables the SN/IP to receive input from the customervia the Internet that determines what incoming data is for thatcustomer.
 15. A computer-usable storage media storing a software routineto enable a service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) of acomputer-based telecommunications system to perform the followingfunctions: to monitor incoming data to determine whether the incomingdata is for a subscriber, to send a message to a switching control point(SCP) of the system indicating the presence of customer data, to connectto the subscriber in response to a message from a service switchingpoint (SSP) of the system, to format the data into a CID (calleridentification data) format, and to deliver the data to the subscriber.16. In a system having an originating service switching point (SSP), asignaling transfer point (STP), a service node/intelligent peripheral(SNIP) and a switching control point (SCP), a method for providinginformation over a telephone network comprising: automaticallyconnecting email information for storage in a service node; configuringa customer premises equipment (CPE) to receive and output a calleridentification (CID) message; connecting said SSP to said service node;and providing non-CID data in said CID message from said SNIP to saidCPE for output by said CPE, said non-CID data including said emailinformation.
 17. In a system having an originating service switchingpoint (SSP), a signaling transfer point (STP), a servicenode/intelligent peripheral (SNIP) and a switching control point (SCP),a method for providing information over a telephone network comprising:receiving, at the SNIP, a subscriber's selection of message data to bedelivered to the subscriber; using the SNIP to store the message data;configuring a customer premises equipment (CPE) to receive and output acaller identification (CID) message; connecting said SSP to said SNIP;and providing the message data in CID format from said SNIP to said CPEfor output by said CPE.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein thereceiving step is performed using a computer Internet connection. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving step is performed usingthe CPE.
 20. A system having an originating service switching point(SSP), a signaling transfer point (STP), a service node/intelligentperipheral (SNIP) and a switching control point (SCP), the system forproviding access to an information service over a telephone networkcomprising: a customer premise equipment (CPE) selectably incommunication with said SSP, said CPE configured to receive a dial tonewhen said CPE is off-hook; a service node in communication with saidSSP, said service node adapted to automatically receive and storecontent from said information service; and a processor adapted to enablesaid SNIP to provide said content as continuous audio instead of saiddial tone to said CPE when said CPE is off-hook; wherein the contentrepresents notification of email.
 21. A system having an originatingservice switching point (SSP), a signaling transfer point (STP), aservice node/intelligent peripheral (SNIP) and a switching control point(SCP), the system for providing access to an information service over atelephone network comprising: a customer premise equipment (CPE)selectably in communication with said SSP, said CPE configured toreceive a dial tone when said CPE is off-hook; a service node incommunication with said SSP, said service node adapted to automaticallyreceive and store content from said information service and furtheradapted to receive input from a subscriber to the information servicerepresenting the subscriber's choice of content; and a processor adaptedto enable said SNIP to provide said content as continuous audio insteadof said dial tone to said CPE when said CPE is off-hook.
 22. The systemof claim 21, wherein the input from the subscriber is via the Internet.23. The system of claim 21, wherein the input from the subscriber is viathe CPE.